How having the right mentor changes everything

Dr. Akil Khalfani on Community, Mindset & Overcoming Fear of Success

In this episode of the Raw Success Podcast, we speak with Dr. Akil Kokayi Khalfani about success, community, history, and mindset. Dr. Khalfani is the Director of the Africana Institute and Associate Professor of Sociology at Essex County College. He is also the President and Founder of ATIRA Corp, a think tank focused on developing solutions for issues facing people of African descent around the world. During our conversation, Dr. Khalfani explains why he believes success should be community oriented instead of centered only on the individual. He discusses the importance of unity, collective growth, and why fear of success prevents many people from reaching their full potential. We also discuss Africa’s history as a powerful continent, the influence of leaders such as Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey, and how mindset shapes both personal and community progress. Dr. Khalfani is the author of The Hidden Debate: The Truth Revealed about the Battle over Affirmative Action in South Africa and the United States, along with other works focused on sociology, Pan-Africanism, race relations, and history. This episode offers thoughtful insight for anyone interested in leadership, culture, education, and personal growth. Subscribe to the Raw Success Podcast for more conversations on success, business, culture, and self-development. Get Dr. Khalfani's bookThe Hidden Debate: The Truth Revealed about the Battle over Affirmative Action in South Africa and the United Stateshttps://amzn.to/4ttQfuBGet True Khepra's Book:The Power Of Choice: You Are Not Stuckhttps://amzn.to/3XtJo7Q

Why Traditional Psychology Fails the Black Community With Dr. With Afiya Mbilishaka

In this impactful episode of the Raw Success Podcast, we’re joined by Afiya Mbilishaka, psychology expert and founder of PsychoHairapy, for a deep conversation on mental health, culture, and identity. Afiya shares powerful insights on how traditional psychology models were never designed to fully address the needs of the Black community—and the real consequences of that disconnect. We explore how this has shaped mental health stigma, access to care, and the importance of culturally relevant approaches to healing. She also breaks down how PsychoHairapy is creating safe, affirming spaces that merge mental health with cultural expression—highlighting the unique connection between hair, identity, and emotional well-being. This episode challenges conventional thinking and offers a fresh perspective on what true healing can look like when culture is centered in the conversation. If you’re passionate about mental health, personal growth, and community empowerment, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Follow the Raw Success Podcast for more authentic, thought-provoking discussions. #RawSuccessPodcast #BlackMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfGrowth #CulturalHealingGet Dr. Afiya Mbilishaka's Book Here:Laid to the Side: Disrupting the Silence of Black Girls' Hair Stories in Schoolshttps://amzn.to/3Qw3IV5

How having the right mentor changes everything

Jabir Brinkley is an advocate for at risk youth. He went on a journey to become a mentor for the future generations when he saw kids that from his neighborhood who he babysat locked up at the same jail he worked at. Now his mission is to guide as many youths as possible in the right path, with an emphasis on helping them get to college.

How She Built Wealth Through Real Estate in her 20s

In this episode, we sit down with Jerra Sanks, who turned discipline into real results by buying her first property at just 27 years old. Jerra made a decision to lock in — cutting out unnecessary spending, sacrificing short-term wants, and staying focused on her long-term vision. While many people were enjoying their 20s, she was working three jobs, attending college, and making difficult sacrifices, including time with friends and relationships, to reach her goals. After purchasing her first home, Jerra didn’t stop there. She leveraged networking, mentorship, and strategic partnerships to expand into real estate investing and become a landlord. This episode is a blueprint for anyone — especially those in their 20s — who want to take control of their future and build wealth through discipline and smart decisions. 💡 In this episode, we cover: • The mindset needed to achieve big goals early • How self-discipline can change your financial future • The sacrifices required to level up • Turning your first property into investment opportunities • The power of networking and mentorship• How manifestation turned into real results If you’ve been thinking about buying your first property or getting into real estate, this episode will show you what’s possible. 🎧 Tap in now and start building your version of Raw Success.

How She Delivered Her Own Baby at Home, Taking a Natural Approach to Everything in Life

In this powerful episode of Raw Success, we sit down with Sarah Awad who is an advocate for women. After a traumatic experience at the hospital during her first birth, she decided to do a free birth at home with the help of her husband. Sarah is a courageous woman who seeks to help other women accomplish their goals when it comes to childbirth and even in life in general through her woman's group.She uses birth as a metaphor for life as she believe that we need to be more connected with our bodies and nature. She also believes that we as a society need to unlearn behaviors that were programed in us through an agenda.